(no subject)

[fajrdrako]

Today I did a presentation for the Ottawa Science Fiction Society on "Firefly" and "Century City". Everyone seemed to enjoy both and it was a shame to have to tell them all that "Century City" had been cancelled. The ad for the Penis Lifestyle got a good laugh.

I've been feeling strange lately. Tired? Depressed? Ill? Suffering from allergies? Hormonally challenged? I find it hard to tell quite what the problem is or what to do about it, but in general I'm finding it difficult to get much done. I've been overeating, too. Time to stop....

Comments

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I've been feeling the same. Weird.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I hope we both feel better - livelier - and more like ourselves soon. Do you think it's the weather, maybe?

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

I have no clue. I've been blaming 'being overwhelmed,' with choir concerts, interviewing for a new position at work, and thinking constantly about preparing for my UK visit (three weeks out of my element, and I'm excited and slightly freaked at the same time). But maybe it's the weather.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess you have good reason to be overwhelmed! I wish I had some of those reasons, especially the trip to England. Can't think why I'm feeling so tired and strange.

[elynross.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see more of what you had to say about both, especially Century City, if you had notes. I was really disappointed to see it cancelled.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It was a general introduction. I explained when "Century City" started, described the location (L.A. in 2030) and the situation (law firm), ran down the list of lawyers with emphasis on Lukas and Lee May, then played a clip from near the beginning of the pilot when they are discussing the clone case and decide to take it on - the bit ending with Hannah saying, "Remember when you had that kind of passion?"

I then showed the scene where the girl with the penis was presenting her case for Lukas, followed with the ad for the penis lifestyle.

I then told about the general plots of the shows - the main cases (closing, intelligence enhancement and loss, the baseball problem) and the secondary cases (the rock group, the divorce, and the penis cae).

I mentioned Darwin and his electronic assistant, and Lee May's genetic situation, and speculation about her feelings for Lukas.

I think that was about it. Everyone was intrigued and disappointed that they couldn't watch the show now they knew about it. They all decided it was just too good for TV - and maybe the medical and legal professions didn't want it to give people ideas.

We were all disappointed to see it cancelled.

I only ever saw three episodes, but I see that the website says there were four. Was the other story ever aired?

[elynross.livejournal.com]

I only ever saw three episodes, but I see that the website says there were four. Was the other story ever aired?

Looking at what you mention, that would be the virtual rape case? Yes, it aired, I think at an odd time after being pre-empted, and it was equally intriguing, to me. The idea was that the man in question had pursued the woman and been rejected, so he purchased nanite technology and used it to infect her boyfriend, who then unknowingly and involuntarily broadcast his reactions to having sex with her. The case then hinged on whether it was rape, or not, and culminated in their discovery of the recording he'd made, and kept, allowing him to rape her over and over, at will. The question was whether it could be rape, if she hadn't known it at the time -- but the guy had gone out of his way to make sure she knew. They ultimately proved it rape (and made the point that law had to change with technology, that even if it wasn't technically rape under current understandings, those understandings had to change) by hooking up the judge, jury, and counsel, and playing only the very first bit, which only involved some sexy talk between the woman and her boyfriend, and a kiss -- with them experiencing his arousal and feelings. After that, it was a slam-dunk.

The second storyline had Darwin representing a child star who wanted to keep taking drugs to prevent puberty and so was seeking emancipation from his parents, and it was a really nice exploration of more of Darwin's character.

What I loved is how they took current issues and viewed through the lens of advancing technology, and really struggled with not just the legal issues, but the moral ones. It really gave me a lot to think about.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry I missed that one - it sounds just as interesting as the others. Did it have anything about Darwin and his electronic assistant? At first I thought Darwin was just a sleaze, but he got more interesting with every scene - now I'm sorry I won't have a chance to learn more about him.

As for the kid taking drugs to prevent puberty - a new take on Peter Pan! The rape issue also sounds extremely interesting.

What I loved is how they took current issues and viewed through the lens of advancing technology, and really struggled with not just the legal issues, but the moral ones

Yes, and they did it in an interesting way that didn't preach or oversimplify the issues - at least, no more than had to be done to fit into an hour of TV time.

[blackbyrde.livejournal.com]

Wow, Century City sounds very interesting. I'm sorry I missed it. Do you happen to have the episodes on tape? Can we watch sometime or can I borrow? I don't like lawyer shows (aside from Law & Order), but the scifi aspect is so intriguing.

Are you feeling better now? I find the weather is making me feel up and down. I can't believe it snowed on Sunday! Snow! :-O (Ok, so it was only for about 10 minutes before it turned into freezing rain, but still....snow!!)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

If we have time, we could watch an episode on Wednesday - the show was interesting. The futuristic aspect (combined with the legal aspect) was really fun, and interesting too.

I heard a rumour it was going to snow again today. Ugh! And it was certainly chilly, walking to work.